Careful CCTV Installations Why Chinese-Owned Brands Are Out

CCTV Installations by CTR Secure Technology. In order to monitor and protect your business assets, you’re looking to set up a CCTV system. As such, you’ve been scouring the internet for cost efficient options. 

• The cheapest options? Made in China.
• The problem with this? Chinese owned brands (banned on government buildings). 

But why? Are Chinese-owned security camera brands forbidden in America and the UK? And even more, what are the approved CCTV systems? 

We’re going to discuss all of this and more below. Here is what you need to know about careful CCTV installations. 

Why Can’t You Use Chinese-owned Brands of CCTV in the UK?

To put it simply, Chinese-manufactured and government partly owned CCTV systems are a security risk. There is a widespread fear that the Chinese government could be using their CCTV as a means of spying on countries throughout the world. In fact, some Chinese CCTV brands are owned in part by the Chinese government. 

For instance, Hikvision is partly owned by the government of China. It’s also one of the most popular CCTV brands in the world, and, at one point, comprised over half of the total CCTV systems existing in the UK. 

Because of this, countries started banning the use of Chinese-produced CCTV. This has happened not only in the UK but in the United States as well. 

In particular, Chinese CCTV brands are now banned in UK government buildings. While they can still be used by private individuals, their use is highly discouraged. 

Chinese CCTV Brands

Now, you might be wondering: which CCTV brands are Chinese? Some of the most prominent of the bunch include:

Hikvision

Hikvision is far and away the most popular Chinese CCTV brand. It’s used all over the world, including in the UK. However, it’s state-owned by the Chinese government and therefore stands as a huge security risk. 

While you’re allowed to have old Hikvision cameras installed on your property, you can’t install new ones. The technology is good and cost effective, however the IPVM reports 60+ brands and OEMs that have been banned in the USA.

Dahua

Another popular Chinese brand is Dahua. The brand is owned in part by the Chinese government, again, making it a security risk. While these cameras are popular, they’re no longer viable for use in the UK. 

Huawei

Huawei is said to be owned by its employees only. There is no apparent affiliation with the Chinese government. However, due to suspicion surrounding all Chinese CCTV brands, it’s still banned in the UK. 

ZTE

ZTE is partially owned by the Chinese government. As such, it serves as a huge security risk in all other countries. It’s been banned not only in the UK but in the US and several other countries as well. 

Brands to Consider Instead

If Chinese brands are out, what brands are in? There are all kinds to choose from. However, two of the premier brands for cost efficiency are Ajax and Genie. Whereas Ajax equipment is manufactured in Ukraine, Genie equipment is manufactured in the United Kingdom. 

These brands are a good investment, not only because they’re highly secure but because they possess excellent quality as well. They’re consistent, reliable, and will benefit your scalable business by thwarting potential crimes, if monitored correctly. 

Obviously, there are others like Avigilon and Mobotix however they are not scalable in terms of large organisations and estates.

Is the UK looking for a new type of solution?

CTR Secure Services is responsible for over 27,000 sites across the UK and with such an estate, managing petty crime and duty of care to employees can be seen as a difficult and cost prohibiting experience.

As of Jan 2023, CTR Secure Technology will be launching a new remote camera alarm system called the VORTEX, which provides the following features:

• A -48v powered 433Mhz & Lora mesh networked 2MP Camera on a secure 4G APN network.
• A PIR detection system & in-built AI
• A Battery Backup lasting 3hours
• Temperature, Airflow and Smoke detection

We have combined the workings of a CCTV, Alarm & fire systems at a scalable and cost-effective price. The benefit is amplified by the fact that it will be UK CE approved and manufactured and built in the UK.

CTR Secure Services has always found it difficult to service clients, when brands are focussed on what they want to design and build and not necessarily fit for purpose. We have decided to manufacture our own systems and in January we will have our first 1200 units available and ready to deploy.

Using CCTV Ethically in the UK

Whether it’s for a government building, a private residence, or otherwise, when installing CCTV in the UK, it’s important that you use it ethically. The government provides guidelines for the ethical use of CCTV which will help you to ensure that you’re not infringing on others’ rights. Let’s discuss these guidelines below, please acknowledge that the following guidelines are very basic and do not constitute all of the legislative requirements?

Comply With the Information Commissioner’s Office

If your CCTV only captures video or images of your private business area, you don’t need to comply with any of the guidelines set forth by the Information Commissioner’s Office. On the other hand, if your CCTV captures video or images of a public area peripheral to your business, you do need to meet such guidelines. 

In particular, you need to comply with the DPA (Data Protection Act) and the GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation). If you don’t comply with these, you could face disciplinary action. You could even face legal repercussions from someone whom you caught on camera. 

The ICO are very informative and helpful on this matter and all it takes is a quick call.

Delete Stored Data After a Reasonable Time

It’s wise to delete stored CCTV data after a reasonable time (Risk Assessed). This way, you don’t have video footage of unknowing individuals on your systems. 

Now, if you think that the footage is necessary for the future protection of your business, you should hold onto it. However, if it’s not, you should delete it. 

Protect Data from Others

In addition to deleting stored data after a reasonable time, you should also do what you can to protect data from others. If your data is easy for someone to steal, it’s not properly protected. 

Also, refrain from showing video to external parties, unless absolutely required. Showing data to others could result in it being spread, which could come back to implicate you in the event of a lawsuit. Not to mention, it’s simply unethical to do so. 

Regularly Check the Positioning of Your CCTV

It’s perfectly reasonable to record public areas directly outside of your business. However, you should never be recording the private property of those around you. If you are, you could even find yourself in legal trouble. The Ring doorbells have now been questioned on personal residences.

Unfortunately, CCTVs tend to move around over time. Therefore, if you’re not regularly checking the positioning of your CCTV, you could be recording someone else’s property without your knowledge. The remedy to this, of course, is to check the positioning of your CCTV regularly (Checkmycctv). 

Need Assistance with CCTV Installations?

Well, Chinese brands are out. However, that doesn’t mean that there aren’t many government-approved brands available out there. They exist and they’re of extremely high quality. 

Looking to install one? Need help with UK CCTV installations? CTR Secure Services has you covered. 

We never use Chinese-owned CCTV brands for any of our clients, following government guidelines to a tee every step of the way. With us on your side, you can be sure that your privacy is protected. 

Contact us now to discuss your needs!